Metis Global Partners LLC Acquires 2,174 Shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 5.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 41,683 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,174 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Aflac were worth $4,312,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Aflac in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. BankPlus Trust Department bought a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Raelipskie Partnership bought a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Aflac by 41.8% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 363 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Aflac Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of AFL stock opened at $109.46 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $104.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $107.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $78.62 and a 1 year high of $115.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.40, a PEG ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.99.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.63 by ($0.07). Aflac had a net margin of 28.76% and a return on equity of 16.20%. On average, equities analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be issued a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 19th. This is an increase from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio is presently 24.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AFL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Aflac from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Aflac in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a “market perform” rating and a $111.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Aflac from $90.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Aflac from $98.00 to $95.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $103.36.

Insider Activity at Aflac

In other news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.40, for a total value of $2,558,529.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 222,618 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $23,018,701.20. This represents a 10.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Aflac

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.